A recent survey by The Jewish Federations of North America shows that endowments through Jewish Federations continue to play a major role in driving the Federation mission to meet global Jewish needs at home and around the world.

The recently released annual JFNA endowment survey shows Federation endowments distributed $1.54 billion to charitable causes in 2011, up from $1.4 billion in 2010. Jewish Federation endowment assets at the end of 2011 amounted to $13.6 billion, with $1.2 billion in new contributions from donors.

Federation endowment assets included unrestricted funds, restricted permanent funds, donor-advised funds, supporting foundations, legacy and other types of gifts contributed to Federations and Jewish community foundations. Together, these assets help Jewish communities collectively address a wide range of global Jewish needs. Jewish Federation endowment grants support programs that advocate for social justice, deliver food and medicine to the needy, support Jewish education, provide relief in times of disaster and crisis, and much more.

“We are extremely proud that our Jewish Federations and community foundations have built endowments to protect and enhance the future of our communities,” said Donna R. Blaustein, chair of the JFNA Planned Giving and Endowments committee.

“Federations pioneered the idea of planned giving over a century ago, and have continued to build strong endowment programs even during challenging economic times," she continued. "Our donors are helping us secure our Jewish community for future generations, and we are investing in making the product stronger all the time.”

JFNA President and CEO Jerry Silverman said, “We are tremendously optimistic that through the continuing support of donors, Jewish Federation endowments and foundations will continue to complement the Annual Campaign in our Jewish Federation charitable portfolio, and help us advance our mission of chesed (kindness), chinuch (Jewish learning) and K’lal Yisrael (Jewish peoplehood).”